We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nick Bailey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nick below.
Nick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Earning a full time living at songwriting took a long time. It takes a lot of hearing “No” and unaswered emails/ DMs.
First, I expanded on my collaborators. It takes a lot of outreach. I used Twitter and Instagram to reach out to successful writers and producers. The ones that responded gave an inch and I took a mile.
In the beginning it was a lot of syncs on commercials, film and TV placements. That kept the lights on. Over time I met more artists, signed to a publishing company and started getting cuts with artists on major labels. That ultimately lead to songs on radio, and songs on the chart.
I think anyone who is self employed/ has their own business has to grind everyday to make it happen. It’s a never ending journey, if we’re lucky to ride it that long, and I’m trying to fall more in love with the craft everyday.
Nick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a Songwriter/ music producer from Virginia. I grew up in Alexandria and Virginia Beach. After high school and 1 year at Virginia Tech I Moved to LA with a pop punk band that opened Warped Tour. I Fell in love with the studio and writing songs. I’m signed to RX SONGS. I Moved to Nashville Tennessee in 2019 with my family. I’m in the studio just about EVERYDAY. My goal is make great music from an inspired place, and see it to the top of the charts and hear it on the radio. I work towards that goal with artists and other creatives everyday, day in day out.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I was in 2 different bands that toured, signed to major labels and were dropped by the labels and teams we worked with. Nothing bad, just the bands didn’t sell over time so as the business goes, we were let go. I didnt know what would be next but i liked writing songs and when I did it for the first time outside of my bands, I sent the demo around and my phone started lighting up from A&Rs wanting the song. At that moment I knew this is what i can do forever….write songs for other artists.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
When i was 15 my close friend JOE TENNANT passed away tragically. He was an amazing musician and had big dreams for a young kid. I credit him for a lot of my drive and passion for music and God for my successes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nickbailey
- Twitter: @nickbaileyRR
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/weknowgoodmusic/
